Hill Street News

 A Connected, Creative, Caring Learning Community. 

Term 1 Week 2

Acknowledgement of Country 

We would like to pay respect and acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land and pay respect to Elders both past and present and emerging.

Welcome to a new school year! I would like to extend a very warm welcome to all of our Kindergarten students and all other new enrolments and their families to the McCallums Hill Public School community. I hope that you have all enjoyed the holiday period and are looking forward to the exciting year ahead.

On 29 and 30 January, our staff engaged in professional learning and were extremely busy planning and preparing for our students during the two School Development Days. On 29 January, Bexley North Public School kindly hosted professional learning for McCallums Hill PS, Lakemba PS, Belmore South PS and Bexley North PS staff and we all collaborated across our Community of Schools.

Our students have settled in very well with thanks to the efforts of our fantastic staff and parents/carers.

Kindergarten students participated in the Best Start assessments. The data collected during Best Start assessments provides teachers with information as to where each student is at in literacy and numeracy and informs ‘where to next’ so that appropriate teaching and learning experiences can be planned. Best Start reports will be issued towards the end of this term.  Our Year 5 buddies welcomed Kindergarten on their first day and they all had a great time together. I am so proud of all our students, particularly our Kindergarten students who said their goodbyes to parents/carers and happily went into class and also joined us in morning muster this week - it is such a great achievement! 

During the first two weeks of school, students in Kindergarten to Year 6 have focused on on Positive Behaviour for Learning  key messages as well as getting to know each other, their teachers and the learning spaces (indoor and outdoor) around our school.

Our wonderful Mrs Batalis is on leave this year. We welcome in her place, Mrs Knezevic who applied through an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the Relieving Assistant Principal position. Congratulations Mrs Knezevic! We look forward to your continued contributions to our students, staff and community.

We officially welcome Mrs Maclennan, our Learning and Support teacher,  to our school and look forward to her contributions to the MHPS community.

We welcome back Mrs Rizzuti, School Administrative Officer to our school and look forward to her contributions to our school.

A very warm welcome to the following teachers who were new to our school: Miss Tzanellis, Miss Singleton and Mr Lofong. We also look forward to their valued contributions to the students, staff and MHPS community.

Learning and Support: Mrs Maclennan.

Greek CLOTE: Mrs Paphitis. While Mrs Paphitis is on leave, Mrs Papas will take Greek CLOTE classes.

Arabic CLOTE: Mr Hijazi

English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D): Mrs Labos will continue on with the wonderful work of supporting our EAL/D students.

Mrs Currie will be working with Mrs Sklavounos again this year to facilitate our Year 2 LAMP and Stage 2 Social Literacy programs.  We are currently looking for parent mentors for these programs. If you are interested in becoming a mentor this year, please contact Mrs Sklavounos to register your interest.

We have Assistant Principals who oversee different teams within our school. They are also available to answer your queries and to help. They are:

• Mrs Sklavounos (Early Stage 1)
• Mrs El-Esh (Stage 1)
• Mrs Knezevic (Stage 2 & 3)
• Mrs Ristovski (Support classes)

Ms Gardner remains on leave and we are currently looking to fill her position until her return.

We are very fortunate at McCallums Hill Public School to have wonderful office staff.  They can answer questions about payments, enrolments, the school app and communication as well as redirect any queries if you are not sure who to contact. Our 2024 office staff are as follows:

• School Administrative Manager – Ms Shepherd
• School Administrative Officer – Mrs Triantafyllou
• School Administrative Officer – Mrs Rizzuti
• School Administrative IP: Mrs Mascera

There are a number of SLSO's who have a variety of responsibilities throughout our school. Some work only in our Support Unit. Others work throughout our school supporting the teacher to deliver programs. They are able to answer your questions, though they will often redirect you to the class teacher as the class teacher is ultimately responsible for your child’s learning program.

Our current SLSO's are as follows:

• Support classes: Mrs Koutsoukos, Mrs Tropea, Miss Taousanis, Mrs Tickner. 
• Mainstream: Mrs Townsend and Mrs Waheed

Thank you for your continued patience as we navigate our way to the confirmation of classes. Please note classes may still change as a result of our numbers. The classes we have so far are as follows:

• KS - Mrs Sklavounos (Assistant Principal) and Mrs Calleja (T & Th)
• KD - Mrs De Lautour
• 1MC - Mrs Mustapic (M-W) and Mrs Clasper (Th-F)
• 1N- Mrs Navelle
• 1/2G - Ms Polias 
• 2T - Mrs Tzanellis
• 2O - Ms O'Connor
• 3K - Mr Karagiorgos
• 3/4V - Mrs Knezevic (Rel Assistant Principal) & Mrs Fayad (T)
• 4K - Mrs Khanh
• 5L - Mrs Leggio
• 5/6C - Mr Clarke
• 6W- Ms Witts
• K-2C- Miss Canning
• 3-4SB -  Ms Bhradmeung (M-T) & Mr Spiteri (W-F)
• 3-5R - Mrs Ristovski (Assistant Principal) & Mr Lofong (T)
• 4-6M- Miss Martins (M-Th) & Mr Lofong (F)

The teaching in all classrooms follows syllabus documents that describe learning as a continuum from Early Stage 1 to Stage 3. Teaching in all classes will cater for the individual learning needs of each student. Research into composite classes has found that it makes no difference to performance whether students are in a straight year group or in a multi-age class. The most important factors in determining how well a student does are the quality of the teacher and his or her teaching multi-age classes may benefit students both socially and emotionally. If you would like to read more about composite classes and the research available follow this link: https://www.det.nsw.edu.au/media/downloads/about-us/statistics-and-research/key-statisticsand-reports/composite-and-multiage-classes.pdf

The classroom teachers, Learning and Support teachers and English as an Additional Language or dialect teachers have been observing, gathering and analysing as much information about your children’s learning needs as possible. Teachers use this information to collaboratively design learning experiences for the next few weeks and then evaluate the strategies and assess the student learning in order to determine the pathway for the following few weeks. This cycle continues throughout the year and involves various specialist staff across the school working collaboratively with classroom teachers to improve learning outcomes for all students.

We look forward to welcoming our families at the Meet the Teacher/Parent Information Session on Tuesday 20 February  at 3.15pm in set rooms, followed by a visit to classrooms. There will be more information to follow.

It is vital students are at school by 9am every day to maximise learning. The first part of the day is both a time when teachers explain learning intentions for the day and children’s peak concentration time. If you are finding that you have already been running a little late, please leave home earlier, particularly on wet days. 

Arriving to school on time helps students learn the importance of punctuality and routine. We ask that students arrive after 8:30am as there is no supervision until 8:30am. If you need to bring your child to school earlier than 8:30am, please contact Team Kids, our before and after school care facility. Lateness is recorded as a partial absence and must be explained by parents.

School finishes at 3pm. Please ensure you are on time to pick up your children as children become very worried when their parents are late. We have an after school facility - Team Kids onsite for students who are not able to be picked up before 3.15pm. I highly recommend that you enrol your children into Team Kids in the event that you are not able to pick up your children before this time.  

We have four primary ways of communicating information to our school community: this newsletter, the School Enews app, the MHPS app and the school website www.mccallumhi-p.schools.nsw.edu.au

The newsletter will be published every fortnight and sent out via the MHPS app. The newsletter is also available for download from the school website or through the School Enews or MHPS app.

From time to time, parents/carers or other members of the school community may need to approach the school in order to discuss the progress and welfare of their child or enquire about school policy or practice. Having procedures in place will help answer questions or solve problems as soon as possible.

If you have concerns about:

• your child’s progress:   Please contact the school by phone or email to make an appointment to discuss issues with your child’s teacher.
• your child’s welfare:   Minor issues - please contact the school by phone or email to make an appointment to discuss issues with your child’s teacher For more serious concerns, contact the office. Please let the office staff know about the nature of your concern and arrange a suitable time to talk with the appropriate staff member.
• School policy or practice: Please contact the office and let the office staff know about the nature of your concern and make an appointment to see the principal and/or appropriate member of staff.

Urgent Matters

Please do not email the school in regards to urgent matters. While the office staff do their best to check the school email account regularly throughout the day, sometimes this is not always possible. Please call the office on 9759 4396 for any urgent matters.

Up to date information ensures that we can support you and your child.

Please notify the office if:

• you have changed your address, telephone number(s), emergency contacts and/or email
• your child’s medical support needs have changed, please notify the office
• custody or access rights to do with your child have changed

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that is potentially life threatening. We require parents/carers to immediately alert the school to any allergies or medical conditions that may affect their child. The most common offensive allergens for anaphylaxis are nut-based products such as peanut butter, egg, nutella or muesli bars and seafood. Please talk to your child about buying items from the canteen for others as we strongly discourage this.

If your child has any health care needs that the school needs to be aware of, please contact the school on 9759 4396.

As a collective group, we must remind students about the safe crossing of roads and walking safely to and from school. A very big thank you  to our parents/carers who are already modelling safe practices by parking a little further away from the school and walking their children to the gates. The modelling of this safe behaviour models to our students that crossing at marked pedestrian crossings are the only way roads should be crossed and where possible that students are crossing with a supervising adult.

It is expected that everyone in our school community demonstrates safe driving and parking at all times. Please comply with the marked areas outside the school. The police and parking rangers regularly patrol the area and fines can be expensive for parking illegally around a school. Please also be mindful of our neighbours and do not park over driveways. It is expected that the school driveway be clear at all times.

I know that we will all work together to keep our community safe.

The School Community Charter outlines the responsibilities of parents, carers, educators and school staff in NSW public schools to ensure our learning environments are collaborative, supportive and cohesive. 

We all play a part

Parents and carers play an important role in the school community. The School Community Charter informs parents and carers on how to engage with NSW public schools. Read the School Community Charter (PDF 1.4 MB) to ensure you understand how important it is to create a positive learning environment for our students.

Parents and carers can expect:

• to be welcomed into our schools to work in partnership to promote student learning
• communication from teaching staff will be timely, polite, informative and solutions focussed
• professional relationships with school staff will be based on transparency, honesty and mutual respect
• to be treated fairly. Tolerance and understanding are promoted as we respect diversity.

Our staff will find a time to talk to you when they can give you their full attention. Please remember that while our staff are in class or dealing with other matters, they may not be available to answer your questions immediately.

Respectful communication is a right

In all workplaces, people have the right to feel respected. Unacceptable and offensive behaviour has no place in our school communities. To ensure the safety and wellbeing of students, staff and the community in our schools, steps will be taken to address unacceptable behaviour. This may include restricting contact with the school community or, in more serious cases, referral to NSW Police.

Unacceptable behaviour in schools

Unacceptable behaviour may include but is not limited to:

• Aggressive or intimidating actions, such as violence, threatening gestures or physical proximity.
• Aggressive or intimidating language, including the use of obscenities, making sexist, racist or derogatory comments or using a rude tone.
• Treating members of the school community differently due to aspects such as their religion or disability.
• Inappropriate and time wasting communication.

We look forward to connecting with our community to ensure we have a collaborative, cohesive and supportive culture that has positive outcomes for all.

Over the holidays we had lots of work completed at the school.

Our old morning muster area is now complete and  our students have had such a great time playing in this area.

Our sensory garden plants and shrubs were tended to and there was the installation of additional seating and a stage. The garden seating allows for a quiet spot to read and enjoy a book. This garden is for all students of MHPS and it has been wonderful to see the space being used by our students.

Our new bush tucker garden has proven to be very popular with all our students. I have seen our students thoroughly enjoy this space at break time and throughout the day. The garden is a lovely space for small group work. I am so pleased we could incorporate and use leftover artificial grass from the yarning circle.

Our sick bay has had a makeover. We are looking at replacing the fan with an air conditioner and have purchased new sick bay beds for our students.

I am so pleased to see our students learning in, using and enjoying the various spaces (indoor and outdoor) around our school. 

I look forward to sharing the next two weeks of learning at MHPS with you all.

Happy Lunar New Year to our families who are celebrating this weekend!

Kindest regards

Elizabeth Markovski

TERM 3 CALENDAR 2023

Our first week in Kindergarten was a great success. The students have done an amazing job adjusting to our daily routines. This week we introduced our school and class rules and procedures. We also introduced and discussed the importance of using proper indoor voice level and respectful listening behaviours in the classroom.

In literacy, we plan and implement differentiated learning activities to develop each students’ knowledge of the sounds lowercase letters make. Knowing the sounds each lowercase letter makes [not the name A B C …] is essential for students to begin successfully reading and writing. The Sound Waves Chants and Actions video allows students to learn about 43 sounds (phonemes) that make up Australian English. Students were introduced to 5 letters this week 'b' bounce balloon, bbb. 'k' Crazy kites, KKK. 'd' ducks dive down, ddd. 'f' five fat fish, fff and 'g' girls giggle, ggg. At home you can help by revising and practising the sound each letter makes.

In maths, we have practised counting to 30 and forming and writing numbers 1 -10. We also made groups of objects to represent a number and counted them. During our daily morning routine, we revise days of the week, months of the year and discuss the weather and mark days off on the calendar.  Students became mathematicians this week, we made wands and explored the playground to look for leaves that were different shapes, sizes and colours then grouped together according to their category. At home you can help by, counting to 30, writing numbers to 10- please correct any numbers that are written backwards, 2, 5, 7 & 9 are tricky numbers and count backwards from 10.

Welcome to the 2024 school year. Stage 1 have had a wonderfully smooth start to our year, Our thanks to all the teachers on the stage for the preparation and organisation that began from day 1 of this term. 

Our Stage 1 classes have begun their teaching and learning programs, our returning students have all reconnected and our new students are forging new friendships at McCallums Hill.

In English students have been given opportunities to develop their speaking and listening skills through informal interests’ discussions and participate in a Draw Talk Write recount about their summer school holidays. The students have also been creative with designing book covers and drawing portraits to display on their class windows making building a strong sense of belonging in their new learning spaces. This is a time where students are beginning to work together in table groups with classmates and participate in physical fitness activities building respectful relationships. 

To ensure safety and wellbeing it is extremely important that students bring their hats and a water bottle to school daily. 

Have a closer look at the happiness radiating through the smiling faces of our Stage 1 students. 

2O -

2T -

1/2C - 

1MC

1N -

Week 2 of stage 2 has flown by with a flurry of activity! We've accomplished numerous assessments and embarked on our exciting journey with the new English and mathematics curriculum. Students have seamlessly settled into the interim classes, forging connections with their teachers. Friday sport remains a highlight for stage 2, eagerly anticipated by all.

Next week heralds the formal commencement of our sports program, promising an engaging rotation of activities aimed at honing skills in various team games. In literacy, we're delving into narratives, with students already busy crafting their own tales, supported by visually engaging anchor charts and word walls. Meanwhile, in mathematics, we're refreshing place value after the holiday break.

This term, our Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) focus is Visual Arts, and the highlight so far has been the creation of captivating self-portraits. Additionally, we've adorned our classroom doors with welcoming signs, featuring the Aboriginal symbol for person, symbolizing our diverse yet cohesive classroom community.

It has been a busy, but productive, start to the 2024 school year for stage 3. We have completed a lot of assessments to get an accurate gauge of student’s ability levels after the long break. This will assist teachers in planning activities and forming student groups in each class. We have started our English unit, which is based on the book ‘The Wild Robot’, and we have touched on the mathematics curriculum. We also completed the first week of the SISA (Sports In Schools Australia) program. 

Everyone has settled nicely into the interim classes and are getting to know teachers and classmates through exciting team-building activities. We are looking forward to the rest of the year as there are going to be lots of amazing learning opportunities.

K-2C has had an enjoyable week settling in and getting to know their new classroom, teachers and friends. They learned about their classroom rules and routines.  Throughout the week they engaged in numeracy activities such as matching 2D and 3D shapes. They further enjoyed writing numbers and counting in 2’s and 5’s and enjoyed engaging in conversation with their teachers, discussing all the fun things they did during their summer holidays.

Students in 3-4SB have settled in well to their new class. They have participated in activities to help to get to know each other and initiate new friendships. In mathematics, students have been exploring the number system and the role of place value in representing numbers. In English, students have been introduced to the book Fantastic Mr Fox by Roald Dahl. They used evidence from the text to identify and describe the main characters in the story. 

3-5R has had a great start to 2024. We have been working collaboratively to develop our rules and expectations for our classroom and the playground. We have enjoyed transitioning onto the main playground for recess and eating with our friends. 3-5R have enjoyed STEM activities where they explored construction of glasses and bridges with various manipulative materials. In Maths, we are working in small groups to explore whole numbers.

4-6M have started off 2024 with courage, ambition and confidence. We have dived into our learning and are focusing on place value in maths, practising what we already know about counting large collections of objects using tens and ones and ordering three-digit numbers from smallest to largest. In SISA, we have been developing our gross motor and fine motor skills in balancing, muscle development and hand-eye coordination. Students are enjoying some dance and yoga brain breaks in the classroom to break up our lessons.

It is a requirement that students attend school, and all non-attendance days must be explained. If your child is away from school, please make sure that you communicate with the office about the reason for this. Some of the reasons may include:

• sickness – with identification of what type of sickness not just ‘sick’ 
• medical appointment 
• travel  
• attendance at urgent or exceptional family circumstances. 

It is also important that all children are at school by 9am. The diagrams below show the lost time and its cumulative effect on missing out on school.

Our preferred method of payment is online, this can be accessed through our school app or website. Feel free to contact the front office if you require any help with this.

If you are unable to make payment online and wish to pay cash, please ensure you have placed all money in an envelope or zip lock bag clearly marked with your child's name and class and what the payment is for.

school bytes instructions.pdf

 keyboard lessons flyer.pdf

hurstville minotaurs flyer.pdf

 Spriggy_Schools_Flyer_DL_Bleed.pdf

Spriggy Schools Canteen Guide_ Adding Menu Items & Options (1) (1).pdf

Spriggy_Schools_Posters_A4_Bleed.pdf

 A checklist for parents -

App checklist for parents.pdf

The lost property is located outside the office. Parents are encouraged to check lost property regularly to ensure students have their belongings. Any non-uniform items will be sent to charity at the end of every Term. Please ensure that all belongings are clearly labelled so that they can be returned to the student.  

Please see images below of driving offences in school zones.

Please remember there is only a 10-minute park from 8.00am-9.30am and 2.30-4.00pm on school days. Please note the signs and make sure you keep to the 10-minute limit. 

Please help keep our school safe.  If you see anything unusual happening in the school grounds at any time, please call School Security on 1300 880 021.

Newsletter Term 1 2024 Week 1 & 2 McCallums Hill.pdf

02 9759 4396
mccallumhi-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au
McCallum Street, Roselands NSW 2196
mccallumhi-p.schools.nsw.gov.au